Andy ES

I know I should always keep my periodic table next to me😁 shameful score, I need to buy another anorak…

Correction I’m not a nerd I’m actually a GEEK 😂

I inherited the “Nerd Gene” from both my grandfathers. One was a Power Station Engineer and the other a Tool Maker on the GWR in the 1920’s I didn’t stand a chance! Still SGL is a very safe, friendly, interesting and humorous place to gain a Huge insight into astronomy and all things engineering and scientific. this is also a fantastically well moderated site, thanks.

I know the feeling. It’s been very difficult over the last year to synchronise weather with family commitments, and now it’s getting lighter 😬

Morpheus 👍 very impressed with these.

What about getting an “Apprentice”? I found that training people and passing on knowledge was very rewarding when I was working, maybe there is someone you could teach your skills to. This might be like when you don’t really want to go to the gym but you know someone is coming round you then usually go and enjoy it. Personally I’ve had more enjoyable nights observing when I have shown someone something through the eyepiece.

Got in my Tardis and went to Dallas tomorrow and saw this, very nice.😊 good luck with the weather my American friends.

Never know could be a family of astronomers… and you could also win the lottery. 😂 (my neighbours are very nice, but they do like the fairy lights a bit, but not really a problem if move like a stealthy cat and don’t trip their garden light)

Welcome, I bet however my CPC925 weighs more than your 100 inch beast 😂

Lol, so a goto scope, you’re spoiling yourself ! I hope you are still going to track and photograph manuals. GOTO is for wimps like me 😂

Simply stunning (as usual😁) Nigella

I’ve found my new dark sky site. It's my mum’s back garden! 😁 I’ve been staying round with her for a couple of weeks while she recovers from an operation. Thing is the garden is out of the way and about 150ft long. With scrubby land at the back. Much darker than my garden. Had a few great nights with the Binoculars. Think I’ll have to lug the scope round. Happy Days.

Welcome, you will find very knowledgeable people here with many years of experience. There is also a very big searchable library of posts that will probably give you any answers you require. This is a very safe and supportive forum. just don’t ask when will the sky clear😂

Got this quaint old school equipment. Somehow it’s got more appeal than Ski Safari Pro ! 😂 It's also massive, good for my ever aging eyes.

Tonight I showed my brother in law the Moon and Jupiter. This is for someone who NEVER EVER looks up at the sky. He couldn’t believe he could see a planet with his own eyes. Wonderful to show this to a new astronomer. Upshot was he said I know you have got a telescope. When can I come and look through it? Fantastic. (He will also make a great body guard when I’m out in the field) 😂

Wow manual! 👍

Auto correct strikes again! 😂

Best of luck with your project, it should be fascinating. if I ever finish decorating I would like to try something like this. 😂I I love my orrery app. There was a very talented person, called Gina, on this forum, who is sadly no longer with us. You could look at some of her posts maybe, as she made all sorts of clocks and 3D printed things.

I hear the far side of the Moon is good for visual and radio astronomy 😂

That’s good, pity they didn’t (or ever will) use it. Yeah, I know they’re only little bits...

Presumably the increasing amount of operational and dead satellites, combined with all the other debris to be put in orbit in the future will prevent humanity venturing out into space long before we work out how to do it. Being in orbit will just be too dangerous. I should think getting into the space cleaning business will be very lucrative In the future.😁

A while ago after waiting 2 years for my Explore Scientific 24mm 82 degree eyepiece to turn up I swore my EP collection was now complete. Well today this turned up, I think I need to sign up for EA, (that’s Eyepiece Anonymous !) I need help. I suspect there are many other potential members out there😂 StellaLyra 30mm Ultra Flat Field 2" Eyepiece😁

I thought it was fun 😂 well it was when it worked!

Today I’ve had a very successful afternoon updating the firmware on my Celestron Starsense Autoalign Hand Controller (HC) and Camera. This will be used on my CPC925. I thought I would write up some helpful notes in case you are going to attempt a similar operation... I purchased the Starsense Autoalign from a SGL member (thanks John). The unit is c2015 vintage and had not previously been updated. Looking on the Celestron web site it appears that a number of updates have been issued for the HC over the years, but possibly not for the Camera. I got a lot of info from the Nexstar Resource web site which is extremely useful. I downloaded the Celestron firmware manager (CFM) from the Celestron site. You have to extract the Zip file and must have java installed to then run it. When you run the CFM with nothing connected it brings up some on screen instructions, these get you to:- Connect the hand controller and camera to the scope and PC with the scope turned off. I connected the kit together as per the diagram attached from Nexstar site. I had to buy a serial cable to USB for the hand controller as my unit has the original RS232 connector and the laptop doesn’t have a serial port. The cable was about £12 from Ebay. Press and hold the menu and Celestron logo buttons while you turn on the scope, you then see Bootloader on the display. The CFM should then find all the devices attached. You can then press update and the devices are updated one by one, with a complete confirmation at the end. I then switched off the scope and disconnected the PC. When I switched the scope back on it all started normally and found the GPS time and location, so all looks good. You can then check the firmware versions on the handset against the Celestron web site. It appears that I have a later version than is listed on the web site site: 01.22.21333 12/2021 scope: 01.22.22308 8/2023 Overall this was a lot simpler and easier than I would have hoped. Now need some decent clear sky to test it out.😁

Going to add: Anti Static Mat with wrist band connector and Earthing Lead - essential